Fire prevention month – “Safety in the forefront” only in French

Months of the Montreal Fire – Fire safety in the forefront

The following press release was issued by the Montreal Fire Department.  Despite repeated requests by the City of Cote Saint-Luc, Mayor Anthony Housefather and myself, the MFD, an Agglomeration of Montreal service, continues to publicize its safety events, promotions and website in French only.  What follows is a translation using Google Translate:

MONTREAL, Sept. 19, 2011 – The Fire Department of Montreal (SIM) offers the population of Greater Montreal, as part of the second edition of the Month Fire Prevention, a series of thematic activities. The event runs from September 19 to October 16, 2011. Although the evacuation plan is the theme this year, the importance of having a functional smoke alarm in the home remains at the heart of the actions taken.

Messrs. Claude Trudel, head of public security to the executive committee of the City of Montreal, Serge Tremblay, director of the Fire Department of Montreal, consider important that the initiative is repeated annually.

“The municipal administration strongly supports the initiative of the SIM. The success of last year shows that the population is becoming more receptive to messages of fire prevention. We must therefore continue all efforts so that citizens of the metropolis incorporate into their daily preventive behaviors suggested. So is safety. In this sense, I invite them to participate in large numbers to Month Fire of Montreal “, said Mr. Trudel.

Month Fire of Montreal is an event that has no equal. Last year, nearly 83,000 elementary students have undertaken to check the smoke alarm in their homes as part of their participation in the activity “Firefighter for a Day”, almost 12 000 people been encountered at public events, more than 3000 dwellings were visited 230 primary schools were inspected and about 1 400 children were sensitized through appropriate activities. This year the contest “Draw your plan! “And the series of activities offered, the service is optimistic it will exceed the number of children and families joined them.

Throughout the Prevention Month, the SIM will deploy resources in public places to raise awareness and to provide fire safety tips, visit the private primary schools and all secondary schools of the island, meet with groups of seniors, will experience the fire simulator to small pre-school, will hold open houses in some barracks and visit homes to ensure they are equipped with a smoke alarm functional. In all these activities, followed by several activities jointly.

“For the second consecutive year, the MIS staff has invested to provide an imaginative programming and a high quality of Montrealers. We have honed our communication strategies so that our message is heard by as many citizens as possible. Since the fire first starts at home, I encourage people to learn about fire prevention to our prevention officers and firefighters as well as through our website. By visiting it, they can view videos themes, various documents and consult the complete program of the event, “said Director Smith.

To be aware of the program, visit ville.montreal.qc.ca / sim.

Fire prevention campaign targets school children

The first “Fire Prevention Month” of the Montreal Fire Department has begun.  Claude Trudel, Chair of Public Security on the Montreal executive committee, and Serge Tremblay, Director of the Fire Department launched the program aimed at Montreal school children.  The theme is “Fire Safety Starts at Home”.  FD teams will visit over 300 primary schools on the island.

Emphasis will be placed on the need to have a working smoke alarm. “A working smoke detector was missing in all cases of deaths due to accidental fires in homes in 2009,” said Mr. Trudel. “In this context, FD teams will visit 50,000 homes to ascertain the presence and operation of this essential tool. Where deficiencies are found, alarms as well as lithium batteries are distributed by prevention agents.  To date, 30,000 visits have taken place.”

“Fire Prevention Month is a concrete initiative that demonstrates the importance this Administration attaches to the safety of Montrealers. Prevention contributes to security and our quality of life,” says Mr. Trudel.

The Director of the FD said that “empowering citizens of all ages with regard to their own safety, makes them our allies in fire safety across the island. That’s why Fire Prevention Month offers extensive programming for the general public. “

Fire Prevention Month is held from September 13 to October 10, 2010 on the entire territory of Greater Montreal. For program details, visit ville.montreal.qc.ca/sim.

In my opinion:  The Montreal Fire Department amalgamated all the fire departments on the island of Montreal in 2002, including all of those in bilingual cities, such as Cote Saint-Luc.  After 8 years of service one would think they would offer an English language version of their website and educational materials.  This is truly disappointing and quite unacceptable and should be corrected without further delay.